CFEF Weekly Update

WEEKLY UPDATE: MAY 27, 2016

The General Assembly has taken an important first step toward fixing Pennsylvania’s school funding crisis: It adopted a permanent funding formula that will truly benefit every student.

This balanced formula, recommended by the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC), removes politics from state school funding decisions, directing money to school districts based on objective factors, such as student enrollment, the needs of the student population, and school district wealth and capacity to raise local revenues.

Its enactment demonstrates what can be achieved when both parties work together for Pennsylvania’s students.

However, the formula is only as good as the funding put behind it. The Campaign is asking state lawmakers to invest at least $400 million in basic education funding in the 2016-17 state budget.

Sufficient resources this budget year and in years to come will ensure that all students – no matter where they live – can succeed in school and meet the state’s academic standards.